Bird eggs, with their delicate embryos encased in protective shells, have been fine-tuned by millions of years of evolution. In a fertilized egg, each component is optimized to help the chicken embryo grow, protect it from bacterial invasion and predators, and ultimately allow it to break out of the shell[Read More…]
Science & Technology
The latest in science and technology.
SciTech Reviews: ‘Emperor of All Maladies’
Although the risk of cancer-related death is declining in Canada, cancer remains the leading cause of death in this country. Given this reality, scientists have dramatically ramped up their research in the past several decades. However, cancer is not a new disease—humanity has made note of its presence for millennia,[Read More…]
Endometriosis and mental health: A novel study on the silent battle
Commonly underdiagnosed, endometriosis affects one in 10 people assigned female at birth. Sufferers can experience difficult periods, excessive bleeding, painful sex, and infertility. Regulation of physical symptoms and surgical intervention may help, but a group of McGill researchers want clinicians to advocate for mental health support as an additional part[Read More…]
Urban greenery: The surprising common thread between sustainable cities and healthy children
To the environmentalist, urban vegetation, such as rows of trees, shrubs, or flower beds, might symbolize a small act of rebellion—a patch of nature amid a concrete jungle. Beyond enhancing a city’s aesthetics and supporting mental well-being, city greenery contributes significantly to urban biodiversity and climate resilience. However, urban vegetation’s[Read More…]
Food fuel: Waste’s wasted potential
Climate change is a pressing issue across the world: As the dramatic toll of human habits on the environment becomes increasingly evident, researchers and policymakers must find new, creative ways to address these habits’ detrimental impacts. World leaders, scientists, and even many citizens don’t lack knowledge about the causes of[Read More…]
Schoolwide exhibition showcases students’ innovative architectural solutions
From vibrant 3D multimedia projects to traditional architectural plans, students in McGill’s Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture delivered a range of studio projects for the faculty’s recent schoolwide exhibition. The collection, whose projects seamlessly integrated function and aesthetics, showcased compelling and innovative studio projects completed by U1 students all[Read More…]
Cherry-picking in biostatistics research reveals a deeper-rooted problem
On Jan. 10, 2024, the Epidemiology Monday Seminar Series kicked off the new year with a presentation by Anne-Laure Boulesteix, professor of biometry at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Her research focuses on metascience and evaluating research methods in the fields of bioinformatics, machine learning, and medicine. The seminar[Read More…]
Heavy metal exposure: A hidden cause of heart disease
Around the world, millions of people come in contact directly or indirectly with heavy metals, particularly cadmium and arsenic, thereby increasing their risk of heart disease. Past studies have investigated the respective effects of these two metals on heart health at concentrations well beyond the levels that people are typically[Read More…]
Keeping up with new chemicals in our drinking water
As McGill students, we rely on access to clean water from the city’s infrastructure, but few of us know where our water is actually coming from, how it is filtered, or where it goes once we are done using it. Every day, the city must clean, store, and distribute water[Read More…]
Looking beyond textbooks: Must-go Montreal science events
The break is over…. Gone are the sweet days of relentlessly refreshing Minerva’s transcript page and ignoring our families to reread the entire Percy Jackson series in our confined rooms (just me?). McGill students must now return to their beloved campus, faced with bleak early-morning McMed hikes and the endless[Read More…]
